blackbasta attacks Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc
Incident Date:
September 5, 2022
Overview
Title
blackbasta attacks Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc
Victim
Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc
Attacker
Blackbasta
Location
First Reported
September 5, 2022
Ransomware Attack on Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc.
On July 15, 2021, Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc., an agricultural retailer based in Staunton, Virginia, fell victim to a ransomware attack that significantly disrupted their operations and necessitated the temporary shutdown of their website. This incident is reflective of a growing trend of cyberattacks targeting the agriculture sector, now recognized as one of the top 10 industries at risk from cybercriminal activities.
Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc. is a prominent entity in the agriculture sector, boasting four retail locations, three fertilizer plants, one feed mill, and a wholesale division. Their website serves as a crucial platform for disseminating information about their products and services, such as fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products.
The ransomware attack underscored the agriculture sector's vulnerabilities to cyber threats. The company's IT systems were compromised, resulting in the encryption of files and the shutdown of their website. Despite the attackers' demands for a ransom, the company chose not to comply.
This incident highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity measures within the agriculture sector, given the potential ramifications of a successful attack on the food and agricultural supply chain. The FBI has issued advisories regarding the risks of disruptions to essential components of the agricultural industry.
In the aftermath of the attack, Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc. collaborated with their software vendor, EFC Systems, their insurance company, and a privacy attorney to mitigate the incident's impact. The company also had to retrain employees on manual processes and reconstruct data from paper records to resume operations.
The experience of Augusta Co-op Farm Bureau, Inc. emphasizes the necessity for agricultural businesses to prioritize cybersecurity and maintain a prepared and knowledgeable team to manage such incidents. It also underscores the value of proactive planning and investment in technology to safeguard against cyber threats.
Sources
- Agribusinesses continue to be targeted by cyberattacks
- 2022 November Cyber Bytes - Information Services. URL: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/current-activity/2022/11
- Augusta not in contact with ransomware group behind attack
- Ag Retailer Shares Takeaways From Its Own Cyberattack. URL: https://www.agprofessional.com/news/industry/ag-retailer-shares-takeaways-its-own-cyberattack
- Protect Your Farm: Don't Let Cyberattacks Hold Your Data for Ransom. URL: https://www.fb.org/newsroom/protect-your-farm-dont-let-cyberattacks-hold-your-data-for-ransom
Recent Ransomware Attacks
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